The No. 3 Duke Blue Devils have been on fire since starting the season 3-2, racking up 11 consecutive wins and 13 victories in their last 14 games. A major driving force behind their success is standout freshman Cooper Flagg, who delivered a record-breaking 42-point performance in Saturday’s 86-78 win over Notre Dame. Flagg’s scoring feat set new single-game records for both the ACC and Duke freshmen, made even more remarkable by the fact that he accomplished it on just 14 shot attempts. He followed that showing with a strong all-around effort, contributing seven rebounds and six assists in Duke’s commanding 89-54 win over Miami on Tuesday.
Flagg’s unselfishness and relentless work ethic have earned widespread praise throughout the season, including high accolades from Duke coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski. The Hall of Famer, who led Duke to five national titles and holds the ACC record for career wins (535), declared Flagg the best freshman in the nation during an appearance on the SiriusXM “College Sports” podcast.
“It was an incredible performance, and he only needed 14 shots to do it,” Krzyzewski said. “What impressed me was how Coach Scheyer let him operate, particularly in the low post. That old-school approach—taking his defender down there and forcing them to either foul or give up a bucket—was a game-changer for the team.” He added, “When your best player can excel in different spots on the floor, it elevates everyone else. He’s an amazing teammate, showing joy for his group while remaining fiercely competitive against opponents. He’s the best player in the country.”
Flagg is currently leading the Blue Devils in nearly every major statistical category, averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 31.2 minutes per game.
A former Montverde Academy star, Flagg is the clear favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, he is also the heavy favorite (-600) to win the Wooden Award, given annually to the nation’s top player.
The Blue Devils return to action Saturday night, facing Boston College (9-8) at 8 p.m. EST. A victory would extend Duke’s winning streak to 12 games.
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